Underground Eruption is the fifth chapter (Torchbearer path) of The Elven Court campaign in Age of Wonders 3.
Prelude[]
Athla Map for Underground Eruption
"With the Isles secured, the legendary hero Bormac proposes we sail for the Rockwall Mountains to join his kindred that live in seclusion, deep underground. The Elves and Dwarves have in dire times come together. It is time to rekindle the ancient bond of earth and sun, root and leaf. Together we will establish a safe haven for the Torchbearers." - Sundren of House Inioch
Introduction[]
Merlin's Story[]
Merlin is finally presented
The Wanderer Merlin joins us on our voyage. It's no secret that Merlin and my mother were in love. They fought the Shadow War together. He was a hero, until he broke the Wizard's Circle in Evermore to seal shut the last Shadowgate. Most Wizards were trapped in the Shadow Realm. Those in this world lost much of their power, including my mother.
He doesn't deny this terrible thing, but he claims he did it to prevent a greater evil from entering Athla.
He sacrificed his life, his love, and his reputation to save our world.
He believes the evil he sealed in the Shadow Realm is influencing the world, inspiring the Shadowborn. With the two most powerful nations about to destroy each other, should something return from the Shadow Realm, the world would be easy to conquer.
Some might think me foolish, but I believe him. There are moments where I can see real memories behind his haunted eyes. My mother wears the same look when she reads history. Loss. I have it too, when I think of Thannis.
Bormac's Plan[]
A safe haven underground
Merlin's presence is but a small comfort as I don the grim face of leadershop. We are exposed. Thousands gather around the Torchbearers seeking food, healing and shelter. Already their needs outweigh our capacity to give. It we could conquer these Rockwall Mountains, they would be safe to escape the encroaching war behind its well-fortified slopes.
The Dreadnought Edward we met at the Isles, gave Bormac his secrets of mana fuel cells to power any new creations the dwarf may build.
We must grow the roots of this new power deep underground before we reach for sunlight. The surface is ruled by a powerful Commonwealth Theocrat known as Grimdotter. There is no doubt she is Shadowborm. Bormac will not tell how she did it, but she is the reason he was captured and brought to Isabella. Bormac is eager to face her.
Fate aligns, perfect for retribution and supplying the Torchbearers with a home.
Overview[]
Leaders[]
| Leader | Bormac | Leana | Vontor | Brenn | Werlac |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bormac Orcbane - Dwarf Dreadnought (player, brown/blue) | War | War | War | War | |
| Leana the Huntress - High Elf Warlord (green/brown) | War | Alliance | War | War | |
| Vontor the Shocking - Globin Sorcerer (lilic/purple) | War | Alliance | War | War | |
| Brenn Grimdotter - Dwarf Theocrat (Yellow/brown) | War | War | War | Alliance | |
| Werlac of Insaldur - High Elf Sorcerer (Black/white) | War | War | War | Alliance |
Heroes[]
- Bormac Orcbane - Dwarf Dreadnought (Player)
- Sundren of House Inioch - High Elf Rogue (Player)
- Reskar Scapeshaper - Draconian Arch Druid (Player)
- Nomlik Trismegistus - Goblin Theocrat (Player)
- Leana the Huntress - High Elf Warlord (Leana)
- Girron Arrowflock - High Elf Warlord (Leana)
- Vontor the Shocking - Globin Sorcerer (Vontor)
- Vervlukt the Foulmouthed - Goblin Theocrat (Vontor)
- Brenn Grimdotter - Dwarf Theocrat (Brenn)
- Werlac of Insaldur - High Elf Sorcerer (Werlac)
- Arbak Kingslayer - Draconian Warlord (Werlac)
- Eqlan the Putrid - Draconian Rogue (Werlac)
Cities[]
- Vontor the Shocking
- Strean - High Elf Village
- Sylverras - High Elf City (Vontor's Throne)
- Leana the Huntress - High Elf Warlord
- Pinevale - Human Village
- Olwira - Human Town (Leana's Throne)
- Werlac of Insaldur
- Savogne - Human Town
- Inlar Kim - Human Village
- Willow Lake - Human Town
- Lintius - Human Town
- Independent
- Deepaxe - Dwarf Town
- Khemal Dur - Dwarf Outpost
- Rockborn - Dwarf Outpost
- Ara Osturn - Archon Revenant Dwelling
- Dimand - Dwarf Town
- Agrosh - Orc Village
- Lumner - Human Village
- Himdale - Human Village
- Ysenspring - Human Town
- Escatur - Dwarf Town
- Darkcloud Keep - Giant Dwelling
Fortresses[]
- Independent
- Telbolg
- Hulsten
Outro[]
Bormac's Victory[]
The Torchbearers as a sign of hope
Thanks to Bormac, the Torchbearers have secured another homeland. Refugees take the Torchbearer's Oath of Vigilance in exchange for shelter and a peaceful place to work.
Bormac has restored the lands to his rule. He has relinquished his need for revenge and throws his mind into building powerful machines propelled by mana cells to benefit fellow Torchbearers.
With sadness I fought my father's subjects. I've sent diplomatic envoys, but all have been ignored. Father is furious. My spies indicate that the Elven Court has sped up its attack against the Commonwealth. He drives the Elven Court to ruin. I must find some way to reach him in person. If he could see the evidence I have seen, I know he would stop this madness.
We've dealt another blow to the Shadowborn. Werlac's desperate alliance with Grimdotter exposed him as a traitor and I am told my father has expelled him from the Elven Court. With each exposed Shadowborn we break up their network of lies. The Rockwall Mountains will hold long against both Empires.
Quiet Memories[]
Memories of a past time
I always viewed the Commonwealth as a human abomination, but it was founded by all races. The humans took advantage of their huge population to shift power in their favor, but the original empire was founded on principles of racial equality. Merlin says my mother and her Keepers aided in its formation.
Merlin appears at my fireside during rare quiet moments. Sometimes he says nothing, but sometimes... He told me of the first time he met my mother--the sense of wonder he felt. He says I remind him of her.
I know it's weird, but I asked him why he never chose to be with my mother. His wistful eyes travel centuries into the past. He says he never had the ability to grant my mother's fondest wish.
I asked what it was and he said, "You, Sundren. And the High Elf race. With all my power, as a human, I could never complete The Mending. Your mother wanted her people healed. So I had to leave her. It's history now. Your father doesn't know this, but I knew of his feelings. As a wanderer, I helped Saridas uncover the ritual magic required to perform The Mending."
Storyline Walkthrough[]
Bormac: "It was good to have Merlin with us during the journey, I wonder when he will appear again. Not any time soon, I imagine. Let's go underground quickly, before we're spotted by enemy scouts."
Sundren: "Just remember, friend Dwarf, that we need to secure this area for the Torchbearers so we can build an army and stop the Shadowborn from reaching their goal; that is our main purpose. We should be ready for war when we go to the surface, but the swifter the victory here, the better. My father will nor tarry, and neither will Leonus."
Emerge victorious[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"We have to secure the area for the Torchbearers, and vanquish all opposition. We should make haste!"
Defeat Grimdotter[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Defeat Grimdotter so the Torchbearers can claim this land."
Sundren must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Sundren alive at all costs. She must not fall!"
Nomlik must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Nomlik alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
Reskar must survive[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Keep Reskar alive at all costs. He must not fall!"
When the player uncovers the nearby city underground, a dialogue will trigger:
Bormac: "Ah, home at last! It would be wise for us to lay low for a while. Here we can found some new cities and build up a powerful army for the Torchbearers. Then, when we're ready, we can storm the surface! I can already smell the sweet scent of revenge!"
If the player nears the underground cave exit before turn 25, a dialogue will trigger:
Bormac: "I hope my army is strong enough to face my enemies and crush Grimdotter. Once they spot us they will attack hard and fast."
If the player does not exit the underground cave to the main Surface area by turn 25, a dialogue will trigger:
Bormac: "We've been in the underground for long enough now. Like Sundren said, we must hurry if we are to secure this land and build up our armies in time to stop Leonus and Saridas. Besides, Sundren longs for some fresh air. To the surface!"
When the player gets to turn 26, or stumbles upon Vontor forces, a dialogue will trigger:
Sundren: "Oh no! My father has sent his troops after us! No... I refuse to believe that. The Shadowborn must have arranged this. Either way, we will have to fight my own people, they will not listen to reason. I really regret it, but we have to see this through to the end. The Torchbearers must prevail."
Defeat Vontor[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Defeat Vontor so the Torchbearers can claim this land."
When the player stumbles upon Leana's forces, or uncovers one of her cities, a quest will be given:
Defeat Leana[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Defeat Leana so the Torchbearers can claim this land."
When the player stumbles upon Brenn's forces, or uncovers one of her cities, a dialogue will trigger:
Bormac: "Grimdotter! Too long have I waited for this moment. I'll send you back to where you belong! You and all Shadowborn.
Grimdotter: "Bormac! You should have stayed in your prison, now I will have to end your life!"
When the player stumbles upon Werlac's forces, or uncovers one of his cities, a dialogue will trigger:
Werlac: "Sundren and Bormac! How can you think your puny Torchbearer movement has any chance of standing against the Shadowborn? We've been here for centuries. You will go out like a flame in the night. We will envelop all! It is only a matter of time."
Sundren: "Enough of your lies! You may have masked your emotions well, but I see right through you. I always thought it weird, the way you looked at Thannis, and now I understand you were afraid of my brother because your words had no effect on him!"
Werlac: "Ha! Poor Sundren! We both knnow that your brother is no more. Prepare yourself to follow him to the grave."
Defeat Werlac[]
- Time: No turn limit
- Victory requirement
"Defeat Werlac so the Torchbearers can claim this land."
If enough turns pass after you have met both Leana and Werlac, a dialogue will trigger:
Leana: "So, the rumors turn out to be true! Werlac is allied with Grimdotter, he betrays the Elven Court! I guess you had something to do with those rumors, Sundren? Don't think this will change anything for you! I have my orders."
Once the player defeats Brenn, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Grimdotter" quest):
Sundren: "One less Shadowborn. Still don't want to tell me how you ended up in that dungeon, Bormac?"
Bormac: "Let's put it this way: I trusted her. The rest doesn't matter now. What matters is that she was a vile hag and I am glad we sent her to the afterlife."
Once the player defeats Werlac, a dialogue will trigger:
Sundren: "Werlac has been defeated, but I am sure I saw him enter the void. He must have a Throne City somewhere else... Curse him! We cannot spare the time to go after him now."
If the player goes to the next turn after defeating Werlac, but not capturing his last city, a dialogue will trigger (this will complete the "Defeat Werlac" quest):
Sundren: "Werlac's army is disbanding, the coward has fled. He is defeated, but still alive."
If the player takes more than 70 turns to finish the map, a new quest will be added:
Make haste[]
- Duration: 50 Turns
- Victory requirement
"The Commonwealth and Elven Court's main armies, led by Leonus and Saridas in person, are moving faster than expected. We should make haste here so we can still intercept them!"
Notes[]
- Both Bormac and Sundren Hero Skills will be restored to its base values.
- This scenario handles three levels of map (Surface, Underground, Depth).
- Brenn, Vontor, and Werlac are leaders with a natural Pure Evil Alignment (-800).
- In order to defeat Werlac, it is only required to kill the hero Werlac (since he has no Throne City on this map).
- While Leana acknowledges that Werlac is a traitor exposed by Sundren, she will remain at War against her, thus not allowing the player to make Peace with this leader.